Sam Hesketh, Haig & Wellington 1959 – 67

Sam passed away at the end of September and it was apparent from the many messages on Facebook that he will be sorely missed by those who knew him. He was clearly popular at school, judging not only by the comments but by his many successes whilst at school, clearly an all-rounder who excelled at anything and everything.  The write up in the Yorkist from November 1967, Wellington House, the autumn following Sam's last term also shows his sporting prowess as well as his ability to lead, some excerpts follow;

"The Prefects this year went about their business of control and example better than in any previous year, so that the House contributed its full share to School life and activity and ran itself in an outstandingly trouble-free manner. Most of the credit for this goes to our House Captain, Deputy Chief School Prefect, Kitchener Scholar, School Rugby Captain, JUO and hurdles record holder, Sam Hesketh."

"The year saw the arrival at the top of the School of the strongest Upper Sixth it has had or is ever likely to have; it has been, in consequence, a pretty successful year all round. Ivor Beynon, Howard Speight, Graham Davies and Peter Beynon were key members of Sam Hesketh's all conquering XV."

"Our athletes, led  by Graham Davies, Sam Hesketh and Peter Beynon, were unbeatable, as usual".

As well as the above accolades, Sam was also in the 1st Swimming Team and a Water Polo player, leaving school with 10 'O' Levels and 2 'A' Levels, he went on to Sandhurst.

Sam was commissioned into the Royal Engineers, did a degree at Military College of Science, Shrivenham, served in Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, and elsewhere internationally; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he retired in his early forties having further qualified as a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Company Secretary. He worked as an administrator in Further Education before becoming Bursar at Malvern Girls College. In retirement he and his family spent part of each year at a cottage in rural France. Sam had two daughters, Hannah and Annabel.

As is the Dukie way, several of Sam's cohort arranged to meet up in London at where else, the Duke of York Pub (St John's Wood) to remember their friend, on what would have been Sam's 75th birthday, 28th November.

Some photos are attached, with thanks to John Passingham. Further house and sports photos can be viewed on the Your Archive website, www.yourarchive.com